DEMOCRACY, from deimos, "people," and kratos, "to command" or "govern;" the same with a popular government, wherein the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the people; such were Rome and Athens of old; but the most perfect example of democracy is afforded by the United States of North America at the present day, the government of which, for the security it gives, the good order it preserves, the small burdens it imposes, and the admirable judgment with which its foreign and domestic policy has been conducted, deserves to be considered as one of the best and wisest in the world. See GOVERNMENT, SUPPLEMENT.